The Best Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe For Soft, Sweet Treats

These classic peanut butter cookies deliver a nostalgic crunch that will instantly transport you back to childhood kitchens.

Packed with rich, creamy peanut butter flavor, they strike the perfect balance between chewy and crisp.

The simple ingredients come together effortlessly, creating a treat that feels both comforting and indulgent.

Every golden-brown edge promises a delightful texture that melts in your mouth.

Soft centers and slightly crackling tops make these cookies a true crowd-pleaser for any gathering.

Fresh from the oven, they fill your kitchen with an irresistible aroma that beckons everyone to the cookie plate.

Bake a batch and watch them disappear in moments.

Why My Favorite Peanut Butter Cookies Work

• Elevate Flavor Complexity: Roasting garlic transforms this classic side dish into a gourmet experience, adding deep, rich, caramelized notes that make ordinary mashed potatoes extraordinary.
• Customize Texture Perfection: Control the smoothness by choosing between a potato masher for rustic chunks or a handheld mixer for ultra-creamy consistency, giving you complete culinary freedom.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: This recipe delivers a universally loved dish that works perfectly for weeknight dinners, holiday gatherings, or potluck events, satisfying everyone from kids to grandparents.
• Boost Nutritional Value: Roasted garlic provides additional health benefits, including immune system support and potential heart health advantages, making this side dish more than just delicious.

Everything for Chewy Peanut Butter Cookie Dough

• Peanut Butter: The star ingredient that gives these cookies their rich, nutty flavor.
• Butter: Provides richness and helps create a tender cookie texture.
• Sugar, Brown Sugar: Contribute sweetness and help create a soft, chewy cookie.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture to the dough.

• Flour: The base that provides structure to the cookies.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread during baking.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the cookie's flavor profile.
• Sugar or Flour (for fork dipping): Optional topping that adds a little extra sweetness and prevents sticking.

Steps to Make the Best Peanut Butter Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 375F (190C), getting it ready for cookie magic.

Step 2: Blend Creamy Ingredients

• Softened butter
• Creamy peanut butter
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Egg
• Vanilla extract

Whip these ingredients together until they form a smooth, dreamy mixture.

Step 3: Prepare Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Salt

Blend these dry ingredients until they’re perfectly mixed.

Step 4: Marry Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until everything is completely incorporated and forms a cohesive dough.

Step 5: Shape Cookie Balls

Roll the dough into small, adorable 1-inch balls, placing them carefully on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Step 6: Create Classic Criss-Cross Pattern

Grab a fork and gently press down on each cookie ball, creating the signature peanut butter cookie design.

If the fork starts to stick, dip it in a bit of sugar or flour for smooth pressing.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pop the cookie sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Look for lightly golden edges as your signal that cookies are done.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Get ready to savor these delightful treats!

Notes for Classic Peanut Butter Cookie Fans

• Select creamy or crunchy natural peanut butter for richer flavor and authentic texture.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to make handling easier and prevent spreading during baking.
• Dip fork in granulated sugar before pressing patterns to add subtle sweetness and prevent sticking.
• Watch cookies carefully and remove when edges turn light golden to maintain soft, chewy center.
• Keep cookies in airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper.

Swaps for Favorite Peanut Butter Cookie Recipes

• Almond Butter Cookies: Swap peanut butter with almond butter for a different nutty flavor and lighter texture.
• Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free flour blend or almond flour to accommodate celiac or gluten-sensitive diets.
• Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies: Fold in chocolate chips before baking for extra sweetness and rich chocolate notes.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener and reduce overall sugar content for a healthier cookie alternative.

Pairings to Serve With Peanut Butter Cookies

• Pair Creamy Milk: Cool down these rich peanut butter cookies with a chilled glass of whole milk, creating a classic comfort combination that highlights the cookie's nutty sweetness.
• Complement with Dark Chocolate Stout: Enhance the deep, roasted flavors of the cookies by pairing them with a robust dark chocolate stout, which adds complexity and balances the cookie's sweetness.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Serve the warm cookies alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, allowing the cold, creamy texture to contrast beautifully with the cookie's crisp edges and soft center.
• Enjoy with Caramel Cappuccino: Round out the peanut butter cookie experience with a smooth caramel cappuccino, whose sweet, coffee notes perfectly complement the cookie's rich, nutty profile.

Storing Peanut Butter Cookies for Freshness

• Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers for up to 5 days. Keep in the coldest part of the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
• Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe container, and store for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying.
• Place cookies in a sealed container with a slice of bread to retain moisture. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources for maximum quality.
• Warm cookies for 10-15 seconds on a microwave-safe plate. Check every 5 seconds to prevent overcooking and maintain soft texture.

FAQs

• Can I use natural peanut butter for this recipe?

Natural peanut butter works, but might change cookie texture. Stick to traditional creamy peanut butter for best results.

• Why do I need to press cookies with a fork?

Fork pressing creates classic crosshatch pattern and helps cookies bake evenly. It’s a traditional peanut butter cookie technique that also helps cookies spread uniformly.

• How can I tell if the cookies are done baking?

Look for lightly golden edges and slightly set centers. Cookies will continue to firm up while cooling, so don’t overbake.

• Can I freeze the cookie dough?

Yes, you can! Roll dough into balls, freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes to baking time.

My Favorite Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Smooth, buttery Peanut Butter Cookies bring nostalgic comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen. Crisp edges and chewy centers make these classic treats irresistible for cookie lovers seeking pure homemade happiness.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (113 grams) butter
• 1/2 cup (128 grams) peanut butter
• 1 egg
• 1 1/4 cups (156 grams) all-purpose flour

Sweeteners:

• 1/2 cup (100 grams) sugar
• 1/2 cup (110 grams) brown sugar

Seasonings and Leavening:

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 375F (190C) for optimal cookie baking temperature.
2. Combine softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl, blending until the mixture becomes smooth and homogeneous.
3. In a separate bowl, thoroughly whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt to create the dry ingredient mixture.
4. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring consistently until a uniform dough forms.
5. Shape the cookie dough into small, uniform 1-inch spheres using your hands.
6. Arrange the dough balls on an ungreased cookie sheet, leaving sufficient space between each cookie.
7. Take a fork and gently press down on each cookie ball, creating a distinctive crisscross pattern. Optional: Dip the fork in sugar or flour to prevent sticking and add a subtle sweet texture.
8. Place the cookie sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for lightly golden edges as an indicator of doneness.
9. Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes to set.
10. Transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack, enabling them to cool completely and develop their final texture.

Notes

• Swap traditional peanut butter with almond or sunflower seed butter for gluten-free and nut allergy-friendly alternatives.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and create thicker, more structured cookies.
• For extra texture, fold in chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or crushed pretzels into the dough before shaping.
• Use a kitchen scale to measure ingredients precisely, ensuring consistent cookie size and even baking results.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 131 kcal
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 112 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 17 mg